Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft Authenticator is a two-factor authentication (2FA) program that provides additional security to your online account in the form of an application. Microsoft Authenticator increases security and access to computer systems or applications by requiring two separate 'things' to authenticate you. Commonly these are 'something you know' like your password,  'something you have' like an authenticator app synchronized to your account, and ‘something you are’ like a fingerprint or facial scan. 

In the days before smartphones the 'something you have' was often a fanatical hardware token, most famously the RSA security token. The authenticator app does the identical job. They use a typical 'method' which suggests you'll synchronize a Microsoft Authenticator to a google account for 2FA purposes, and therefore the other way around.  

Other forms or 2FA are possible - the authentication is comparable to a fingerprint or an iris pattern (Iris pattern recognition is an automated method of biometric identification which uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of one or both of the irises of an individual's eyes. These patterns are unique, complex, stable and can be seen from some distance.). 

Microsoft Authenticator with Azure Active Directory.

1. Azure Active Directory provides secure authentication and authorization solutions so that customers, partners, and employees can access the applications they need.
2. Authenticator also acts like the client app for Microsoft-specific multifactor authentication, because it could also be enabled with Azure Active Directory. 

This sort of authentication generates a request from the securing system to the precise mobile device that has been registered by the user, who must acknowledge the login request and/or authenticate themselves on the device, again potentially with biometrics like Touch ID/Face ID.

How can we set-up Microsoft Authenticator? 

1. At first glance, Microsoft's Authenticator looks about just like the Google equivalent.  
2. It generates the identical six-digit TOTP codes for third-party 2FA accounts but does its best work on consumer Microsoft accounts. 
3. After installing the Authenticator app, you will be able to configure 2FA settings for a free Microsoft account at https://account.live.com/proofs.  
4. Sign up along with your username and password within the app, so reply to one among the prompts you have already found.  
5. Now setup is complete, you will see a push notification after you register for a replacement device. 

Note that you just can find and use the Microsoft Authenticator app on multiple devices simultaneously. The eight-digit authentication codes are identical across devices, and you will be able to reply to prompts on any device that is properly found. 

For Azure Active Directory accounts, setup may be a little different.  

1. An administrator has to enable multi-factor authentication from the Office 365 or Azure AD admin console.  
2. Then users manage security verification by visiting https://account.activedirectory.windowsazure.com/Proofup.aspx.  
3. After that, you will find multiple security verification options and assign a preferred option. 
4. For maximum security, disable the choice to authenticate using codes sent over SMS and permit only calls to your office number or a prompt or code from the Authenticator app.  
5. Now you can choose any of these options at sign-in time.  
   

What Are the Differences? 

1. Microsoft Authenticator can support one account on multiple devices while Other Authenticator does not. 
2. Microsoft has a feature that makes you hide from the code useful to protect your account. 
3. Microsoft Authenticator offers the user backup feature essential when the device is lost or stolen. 
4. Microsoft supports custom icons that make it easier to locate each account and code, which others do not have. 

It is vital to implement multi-factor authentication to secure the user’s identity and protect individuals from data theft.